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Incident Reports 2004

A 32-year-old man collapsed, and was unconscious for a short time, possibly as a result of a pre-existing heart condition. He was given oxygen and monitored by team members, and then evacuated to Furness General Hospital by the North West Air Ambulance.

A family group of seven became lost, having overshot Stake Pass and found themselves descending into Langstrath. They became concerned when the weather deteriorated, and phoned for help. We found them on Stake Pass and assisted them down.

The occupants of a car phoned the Police when they became stuck on an ice-covered Wrynose Pass. They were concerned that they couldn't get down. A vehicle was dispatched to assist them, but we couldn't find them. It transpired that they had got down the pass by themselves and were making their way to Lancaster. We returned home.

We were called to attend a woman with an ankle injury. She was walking with her husband. They had passed a grid reference to the Police which put them on Nanny Lane, Troutbeck. The team was dispatched to sort her out. Our first response group couldn't find them. We spoke them again and they admitted that they might not have been quite were they had initially told us. Further questioning located them on the Ambleside side of Wansfell. A second team was dispatched, they were located, and the woman's injury was treated. Grid references and numbers are such a tricky business.

The Langdale Ambleside Mountain Rescue taxi service was called out to retrieve a group of eleven people who had accidentally walked off the back of Crinkle Crags and had realised that when they arrived at the bottom of Moasdale they would be inconvenienced by a lack of transport. They were located by a group of team members and escorted down.

A woman fell five metres after slipping on rocky ground near the summit of the hill. She sustained a head injury as a result. The initial location that we were given by someone at the scene of the incident was approximately 1km out, but we worked it out and she was treated by team members and then airlifted to Carlisle hospital by the RAF.

Two 38-year-old women got stuck in mist on Pavey Ark. A search was organised and they were located by 'Tracker Cooper' who has developed a bit of a knack on recent incidents for outstripping the dogs when it comes to finding the lost. They were escorted down.

A local woman slipped and sustained an ankle injury on a wet, loose path. Her ankle was splinted and she was carried down on a stretcher. It transpired that she had sustained a fractured fibula. We were alerted to this job by a member of Kendal MRT.

A 57-year-old man was reported missing by his friend after they got separated at Angle Tarn. His friend made his way down, but when the man didn't show up we were called. A search was organised and he was quickly located, having been delayed by helping other people down.

A 15-year-old boy was reported as suffering from hypothermia in the Langdale Combe/Stake Pass area. The people who reported him at the valley head had taken over two hours to walk down, and the young man had got fed up of waiting, warmed up and had been helped down to the valley by companions. We met him in Mickeleden.

A man in his 40s sustained a dislocated shoulder when he slipped on frozen ground. We were en-route up the Band when we made aware that a helicopter that had been assisting Keswick MRT in Allen Crag Ghyll had reached the casualty and uplifted him. He was taken to Furness General Hospital.

A 58-year-old woman slipped and sustained an injury to her ankle. She was treated by team members and carried down. If you've got to loiter waiting to be rescued, you might as well do it on a beautiful winter’s day, with a view of the lake and surrounded by the first snowfall of the season.

A flare was sighted by a passer-by, who was familiar with flares, in the vicinity of Loughrigg. A small search was organised, but nothing was found. It was probably the sun reflecting of a high flying jet.

We were called out to look for a man who was lost on Fairfield. He had phoned for help with his mobile phone. A search was organised in conjunction with SARDA and Patterdale and Kendal MRTs. He was located at Hartsop above How after a couple of hours’ searching. He was escorted off by members of Patterdale MRT.

A rare rescue on two counts. Firstly it was before lunch; secondly it was a mountain biker. A young local man fell from his bike when his seat snapped off. He sustained injuries to his shoulder, lower back, pelvic area, knee, and hand. He was treated at the scene by team members and evacuated to hospital by the Great North Air Ambulance.

We were asked to assist the ambulance service with the evacuation of a 58-year-old woman with an ankle injury from a steep, slippery path. They had attended, provided first aid, and we carried her down

A 54-year-old woman sustained an ankle fracture and suffered the effects of the cold weather between Mart Crag Moor and Pike O'Stickle. The team attended, and with help from a helicopter from RAF Boulmer she was rescued and airlifted to Carlisle hospital.

A large-scale search was organised when a man was reported missing overnight in the Langdale area. He had phoned home late the previous evening saying he was benighted, but was OK and would make his way down next day. When he didn't appear a search was organised. We were assisted by seven SARDA dogs. He was located at 13.30, unharmed.

We were requested to assist the Police with a search of fields and footpaths for an 80-year-old woman who had set off to walk a short distance and not arrived at her destination. She was located quickly and returned home. Coniston MRT and SARDA were also involved.

A couple of 19-year-old climbers from Ambleside became stuck when they got to the top of Middlefell Buttress without torches after 4pm. They were unable to locate the way down. Their shouts for help were heard in the valley bottom. They were assisted by a number of other people in the area, who supplied them with torches, and we escorted them down.

A group of three became lost on Crinkle Crags. They were unable to find their way off, and weren't exactly certain were they where, so phoned for help. A group of team members located them by homing in on their whistles and torch flashing, and they were escorted down.

A 21-year-old man from the West Midlands phoned his parents to say that he was benighted at Angle Tarn. His parents phoned for help. We instigated a search and he was eventually located near the summit of Bowfell. We were assisted by Keswick MRT. Santa, if you're checking Christmas lists this early, can he have a torch for Christmas please?

We received a call to man who had camped out overnight below Cambridge Crag on Bowfell. He had called for help and an air ambulance was sent. He had become very cold and wet overnight and couldn't move. They couldn't find him, so we were called. We located him, gave him food and drink to warm him up, and then assisted him to walk down.

While we were finishing off from the previous rescue we were made aware of a family who were lost in the vicinity of Stickle Tarn. They were cold and unable to find a way down in the mist. They were located just below Stickle Tarn, and escorted to the valley floor.

We were requested to assist Patterdale MRT with the evacuation of a man who had fallen and suffered a suspected depressed skull fracture. We were en-route when we were recalled because the casualty had been successfully evacuated by RAF helicopter.

Two 20-year-old men from Manchester became cragfast when they got on to steep ground, without torches, above Bright Beck. They were located by team members, escorted back to the valley floor and transported to their accommodation.

We had just finished clearing up and repacking from the previous incident when we were called to attend another. A woman had sustained a suspected ankle fracture after a slip descending Stickle Ghyll. She was treated by team members and evacuated to the valley floor by the helicopter that was still in the area.

A second male competitor, this time 34 years old, fell off his bike. He sustained a suspected serious arterial bleed to his leg. An ambulance was called, but an RAF helicopter came into the area on a routine training exercise and flew the casualty to hospital.

A 47-year-old male Polaris Mountain Bike Challenge competitor fell while trying to get off his bike. He sustained a suspected fractured ankle. An ambulance was called, and then we were called to assist.

A man walking with his friend suffered head and chest injuries when he fell near the top end of Rest Ghyll on the back of Crinkle Crags. He was unconscious for a short time. His friend descended to get help and Wasdale MRT were alerted. Because the informant didn't appear absolutely certain were he had left his friend we were also called. He was located by Wasdale MRT members and treatment was given. With our help he was evacuated from the ghyll and the long carry out down Mosedale began. Other personnel came up Mosedale to assist, including members of Kendal MRT.

A Maltese man slipped and sustained a lower leg injury. We don't normally go up hill, but in this case we took the slightly scenic route because the smooth, grassy descent around the back of Tarn Crag is much better than the rocky descent of Stickle Ghyll. After seeing the man safely in to an ambulance we retired to the pub to refresh ourselves. A couple of men at the bar who had seen us go up, and who had read about the team offered to stand us a round. A much appreciated gesture! Thanks.

A 9-year-old girl slipped and sustained a suspected arm fracture. We eventually located them, because they weren't certain were they where. They girl was treated and given pain relief and carried to a waiting ambulance.

A man slipped and sustained a lower leg injury. In a joint operation with Patterdale MRT, he was treated and carried to Scandale and transferred to a waiting vehicle. It was dark, windy and wet. We got home about 5.30am.

A 68-year-old man tripped and fell, sustaining a suspected fracture/dislocation to his shoulder and a graze to his knee. He was treated at he scene and evacuated in our ambulance, which we had been able to drive close to his location.

A man sustained a knee injury in Far Easedale. We were given a location by a passer-by. A second informant gave us another location, which he was adamant was correct. He was completely wrong (and is probably still up there, if his map reading skills are anything to go by!). The casualty was treated by team members and carried down with assistance from Kendal MRT. More substantial footwear may have given him more support and prevented the damage.

A group of five got into difficulty on Bracken Hause, Helm Crag, when they missed the path and became cragfast. A small group of team members went to their assistance and escorted them down. Nobody was injured.

A 12-year-old boy slipped and sustained a nasty gash to his leg in the Junior Guides race at Grasmere Sports. He was treated by team members and evacuated to a county ambulance. We were assisted by St John Ambulance, who were also attending the show.

A man sustained an ankle injury on Scafell. He struggled as far as Rossett Ghyll before he could go no further. This level of self-reliance has to be applauded. The man was embarrassed and apologetic for calling us out, but realistically he could not have been expected to get much further. He was treated by team members and evacuated by stretcher.

We were asked to assist Wasdale MRT in a search for a couple trying to find their way down from Scafell. They were reported as having no waterproofs, little food, and the homing facility on their umbrella had failed. They were located in Little Narrow Cove.

A dog was reported as running around Easedale Tarn area, barking and sounding distressed. The caller assumed that its owner was in need of help. A small search was organised before we concluded it was a trial hound running a little late.

A woman in her 20s was seconding a climb when she fell off. She fell approximately 15 metres, penduluming into the crag. She sustained a serious head injury, despite her helmet, and injuries to her lower back and ankle. She was treated at the scene and airlifted to Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle by RAF helicopter. Again we were assisted by Kendal MRT.

A 57-year-old male slipped and sustained a dislocated ankle. The team responded and were en route when we were made aware of a second incident in Langdale. The first incident was dealt with by giving first aid to the man and he was carried off and taken to Kendal Hospital by Kendal MRT, who had come to help.

A 74-year-old male, walking with a family group, collapsed and was unable to move, probably due to fatigue. His son set off to get help, borrowed a mobile phone from a passer-by and contacted us. He then continued to descend with his young children, as a result of which we had no further contact with the casualty. We climbed on to the ridge but were unable to locate the man. He was eventually located by Kendal MRT descending in to Easedale under his own steam, having recovered sufficiently. He was given the once-over by Kendal MRT's doctor and allowed to go home.

Three men became lost on Bowfell. They were inadequately equipped for the conditions which were cold, wet and windy. They happened upon a group of Duke of Edinburgh Award candidates who, although slightly off route, were equipped for, and coping with, the conditions. The young people from the D of E expedition realised that the men were in trouble, and put tents up for them, and prepared to spend the night. They contacted their assessor to let them know that they weren't going to make it to their planned campsite, and that they would continue in the morning.

A 38-year-old German woman sustained a suspected ankle fracture. This resulted in her spending the night out in a tent. Her friend was able raise the alarm first thing, next day. The team treated her injury and the she was evacuated to Furness General Hospital by air ambulance. Kendal MRT also assisted.

A 68-year-old climber set off ahead of his friends on the descent from Bowfell Buttress, supposedly via Three Tarns and the Band. He never arrived back at their campsite in Langdale. He was reported as very experienced, but didn't appear to be very well equipped. As a search was organised, he turned up at Wha House Farm in Eskdale. He seemed to have made an interesting navigational error, having probably turned right at Three Tarns instead of left.

While we were dealing with previous two incidents it suddenly became a very busy day! A woman slipped on Heron Pike and dislocated her shoulder. A few remaining team members surplus from the previous two rescues were dispatched along with members of Kendal MRT to deal with this. They administered first aid and pain relief and she was evacuated by the air ambulance which had returned to assist, having dropped off the first casualty. Our drying room was very full for the next 24 hours!

While the previous incident was under way we were alerted to another incident below us on the same path. A woman had slipped and sustained a suspected ankle fracture. Having left the previous casualty with paramedics at a point where the helicopter could pick them up, we descended, met other team members and dealt with the second casualty. She was stretchered to the valley floor and sent to hospital. She was wearing inappropriate footwear.

A 45-year-old man slipped while descending, fracturing his ankle in the process. An air ambulance was called and we were asked to assist because of the difficult location. A number of team members were airlifted to the dam and made their way down to the cas site. The man was evacuated uphill to the dam and airlifted to hospital. Let me just say that uphill is bad. Very bad. It hurts.

A group of five young people were reported overdue at their campsite on their Duke of Edinburgh expedition. They were last seen at Easedale Tarn at around 1pm. They failed to arrive at their planned campsite at Stickle Tarn. A search was organised and they were located at Easedale Tarn. They believed that they were at Stickle Tarn. They were escorted down and reunited with their supervisors.

A 44-year-old woman was knocked over by her dog while walking it in fields near Kirkstone. She sustained a wrist and knee injuries. She was treated by paramedics and again, our help was required to get her to the roadside.

A 71-year-old man from a large walking group sustained a knee injury after a slip. His friends tried to help him down, but could only manage a short distance. We were called to assist, and splinted his leg, then arranged for his evacuation by air ambulance.

An RAF mountain rescue team member was assisting with the clean-up of debris from the crash site from the previous day’s incident when he fell approximately 100 feet, and sustained serious multiple injuries. He was treated at the scene by some of his colleagues and flown to hospital.

A second operation was then organised to rescue the Kendal team member who was injured. He was stabilised by people on the crag and eventually airlifted to Carlisle by the RAF. The initial casualty was then recovered and also flown to hospital. Coniston MRT also came to assist at this point.

A man in his 20s blacked out and fell a short distance, breaking his arm badly in the process. Because of the inaccessible position and the black-out, a helicopter and Kendal MRT were called to assist. Langdale team members were making their way to the site on foot when the helicopter arrived. It picked up some Kendal team members from the valley and flew them up. A couple had been winched out when the helicopter rotor clipped the crag, causing serious damage, and causing the helicopter to pull away and land very heavily in Mickleden.

A 37-year-old man collapsed while descending to the finish of the Fairfield Horseshoe fell race. He was treated at the scene, and evacuated to our Lowfold base for further treatment by the team doctor.

With darkness approaching, we were notified of a woman who was alone on Mart Crag and unable to find her way down. She was given instructions to locate Stake Pass, and a small group was dispatched to track her down. Somehow she managed to miss the path at Stake Pass and was located descending from Rossett Ghyll, having traversed around the back of Rossett Pike. It was agreed that she would undertake some navigation tuition in the very near future!

Three men were caught in a rockfall in Kilnshaw Chimney. One was uninjured, but a second received injuries to his hand and a third to his knee and shoulder. They were treated and evacuated with help from Kendal MRT.

A woman got her foot stuck in a crack on Ash Tree ledge about 100 foot up Gimmer Crag, and was unable to extract herself for in excess of 40 minutes. The team was called, and arrived at the base of the crag to be notified that she had just managed to free herself. She was able to continue the climb with a bruised foot.

A woman phoned to say she had seen a man shouting for help and waving. She descended to report it, and we joined forces with Patterdale to locate the person. He was located and it was discovered that he was suffering from serious back and shoulder injuries. He was treated and evacuated to hospital by helicopter.

A 40-year-old man phoned his wife to say that he was getting tired and was going to be late. She phoned us and we went and looked for him. He was located in Mickleden, exhausted, but moving under his own steam, having 'borrowed' some food from some campers. He was reunited with his family at Lowfold.

A 20-year-old male climber fell from Lower Scout Crag, ripping out all his gear and hitting the ground. He sustained an open fracture to his femur, a broken wrist, two fractures to his arm, a fractured jaw, and head injuries. The left-hand picture, below, shows the severe shortening caused by the femur fracture, and the third picture shows damage to his helmet.head injury.

A 43-year-old man fell approximately 40 feet from the lower section of Pavey Ark. He sustained head injuries, a jaw fracture and a neck fracture, and lost consciousness for a while. A doctor in the group provided initial first aid, maintaining his airway. He was treated, and airlifted to Furness General Hospital. The remainder of the group, a mixture of adults and children, were escorted from the hill by team members.

A man in his 70s collapsed while descending Far Easedale. He was described to us as stumbling and delirious. Initial reports of his location were contradictory, but he was quickly tracked down and evacuated to West Cumberland Hospital by a helicopter from RN Gannett. He was diagnosed at hospital as having a heart condition.

A 15-year-old girl sustained a suspected fracture to her ankle. She was part of a well organised and equipped group of Air Cadets. She was treated and evacuated with help from Kendal MRT. They wrote us a very nice thank you letter.

A young male was reported overdue at his destination in Langdale. He had set off from Wasdale, but not arrived. A search was organised, involving SARDA, Keswick MRT, Wasdale MRT and ourselves. He was located at 04.45, cragfast at Hanging Knotts. He was cold and wet, but otherwise unharmed. He was escorted to Langdale by members of Langdale MRT and then repatriated.

While dealing with the first incident we were notified of a second incident at Dungeon Ghyll. A woman had slipped and sustained a suspected fractured ankle. At this stage Kendal MRT were called to assist. She was treated and evacuated to the valley. Later information revealed that she had sustained three fractures to her tibia and fibula.

A very experienced male climber in his 50s fell while leading. Unfortunately some of his runners failed and he hit the ground. His injuries were multiple and very serious and, sadly, he died as a result.

We were made aware of a scout group of consisting 8 children and 2 adults who had got into difficulty near the Priest Hole, Patterdale. This is not our area, but in contacting Patterdale MRT to make them aware, our assistance was requested. Eleven team members and Paddy (dog) went to assist. The group had been attempting to reach the Priest Hole to camp there, but had been overwhelmed by severe weather. We found a group of very cold children, some without footwear. The weather was variable, ranging from still moonlight to force 8 winds and driving snow, but generally deteriorating.

A 60-year-old Rochdale man slipped on the descent from Red Screes, just above Pets Quarry. He sustained a suspected fractured ankle. He was treated and evacuated by stretcher, with assistance from Kendal MRT.

The team was asked to assist in a major operation to find and rescue a large number of cockle pickers from the sands in Morecambe Bay. They had been caught by a fast advancing tide. A number of people made their own way to safety, several were rescued, but tragically nineteen drowned. The team sent vehicles, personnel, search dogs and specialist radio equipment. On 15th February another body was located on the sand near Morecambe. One of the problems encountered at the time was that nobody knew how many people were out on the sand.

The team was requested to assist Keswick MRT in a search of the central fells for four walkers who had reported themselves lost in mist by mobile phone. They were located on Allen Crags, way off their intended route. Team members got home around 2am.

A canoeist was reported by a passer-by as in difficulty. He passed under a bridge in Ambleside shouting for help. The team was called and the canoeist was accounted for, having managed to get himself out of the water. Nice canoeing weather, but not so good otherwise.ambulance.

A 40-year-old woman slipped while descending and sustained deep lacerations to her head. She was on steep and difficult terrain and was significantly off her intended descent route. Other than their navigational error, they were well equipped and experienced. Rescues in the dark and snow are always so much more interesting than the rest.

While the previous incident was under way, we were made aware of a father and son who were overdue from their walk in the Bowfell area. Fortunately they turned up in Borrowdale before we had to go and look for them.

Kendal MRT called us to assist them with a search for two missing people overdue on a walk from Kentmere to Troutbeck. They were reported missing by their mother, when they failed to show up at the pub that she was waiting in. They were located in another pub. We all went home.very high winds and heavy rain.